There or Close: Peter Weir for FEARLESS, THE MOSQUITO COAST and WITNESS, among other films.

There or Close: Peter Weir for FEARLESS, THE MOSQUITO COAST and WITNESS, among other films.

Photo: Theo Wargo, Getty Images

There or Close: Peter Weir for FEARLESS, THE MOSQUITO COAST and... Photo-6694491.91181 - Times Union

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There or Close: David Cronenberg for DEAD RINGERS, EASTERN PROMISES and A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE.

There or Close: David Cronenberg for DEAD RINGERS, EASTERN PROMISES and A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE.

Photo: Frank Micelotta, Getty Images

There or Close: David Cronenberg for DEAD RINGERS, EASTERN... Photo-6694492.91181 - Times Union

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Close: James Ivory, writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and producer Ismail Merchant. Ultimately, Ivory's place in the pantheon will depend on how much people value the Merchant Ivory films in the future. Certainly, they made some very good ones, among them A ROOM WITH A VIEW, THE REMAINS OF THE DAY and HOWARDS END. less

Close: James Ivory, writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and producer Ismail Merchant. Ultimately, Ivory's place in the pantheon will depend on how much people value the Merchant Ivory films in the future. Certainly, ... more

Close: Jean-Pierre Ameris, shown here with one of his favorite actresses, Isabelle Carre, the star of his great comedy, ROMANTICS ANONYMOUS. The other film for the pantheon: C'EST LA VIE, from 2001.

Close: Jean-Pierre Ameris, shown here with one of his favorite actresses, Isabelle Carre, the star of his great comedy, ROMANTICS ANONYMOUS. The other film for the pantheon: C'EST LA VIE, from 2001.

Photo: Carlos Alvarez, Getty Images

Close: Jean-Pierre Ameris, shown here with one of his favorite... Photo-6694502.91181 - Times Union

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Close: Peter Jackson, for HEAVENLY CREATURES and THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy. Though he has lowered his average with a lot of lesser work.

Close: Peter Jackson, for HEAVENLY CREATURES and THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy. Though he has lowered his average with a lot of lesser work.

Photo: Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images

Close: Peter Jackson, for HEAVENLY CREATURES and THE LORD OF THE... Photo-6694503.91181 - Times Union

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Close: James Gray attends, for TWO LOVERS and THE IMMIGRANT.

Close: James Gray attends, for TWO LOVERS and THE IMMIGRANT.

Photo: Vittorio Zunino Celotto, Getty Images

Close: James Gray attends, for TWO LOVERS and THE IMMIGRANT. Photo-6694504.91181 - Times Union

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Close: Abdellatif Kechiche for THE SECRET OF THE GRAIN and BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR.

Close: Abdellatif Kechiche for THE SECRET OF THE GRAIN and BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR.

Photo: John Phillips, UK Press Via Getty Images

Close: Abdellatif Kechiche for THE SECRET OF THE GRAIN and BLUE IS... Photo-6694505.91181 - Times Union

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Close: Danish Susanne Bier for AFTER THE WEDDING and BROTHERS.

Close: Danish Susanne Bier for AFTER THE WEDDING and BROTHERS.

Photo: J. Countess, WireImage

Close: Danish Susanne Bier for AFTER THE WEDDING and BROTHERS. Photo-6694506.91181 - Times Union

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CLOSE: French film director Bertrand Tavernier for A WEEK'S VACATION and COUP DE TORCHON. (Actually I haven't seen the full filmography. He might already be there.)

CLOSE: French film director Bertrand Tavernier for A WEEK'S VACATION and COUP DE TORCHON. (Actually I haven't seen the full filmography. He might already be there.)

Photo: Keystone, Getty Images

CLOSE: French film director Bertrand Tavernier for A WEEK'S... Photo-6694507.91181 - Times Union

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Close: Agnes Jaoui for THE TASTE OF OTHERS and LET IT RAIN.

Close: Agnes Jaoui for THE TASTE OF OTHERS and LET IT RAIN.

Close: Agnes Jaoui for THE TASTE OF OTHERS and LET IT RAIN. Photo-6694508.91181 - Times Union

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Close, maybe there: Peter Bogdanovich has one acknowledged masterpiece, THE LAST PICTURE SHOW, and maybe a few others, but they need to be watched again and reassessed (PAPER MOON and WHAT'S UP DOC). He also directed THE CAT'S MEOW and MASK. A case can be made . . . less

Close, maybe there: Peter Bogdanovich has one acknowledged masterpiece, THE LAST PICTURE SHOW, and maybe a few others, but they need to be watched again and reassessed (PAPER MOON and WHAT'S UP DOC). He also ... more